Field Report:
First batch of relief goods obtained with Sarid
funds
Vinod Moonesinghe, Colombo, Sri Lanka, January 7, 2005
The Amparai district in Sri Lanka's Eastern Province was
the area worst affected by the Boxing Day Tsunami. According
to the Government, over 10,000 people were killed there
and more than ten times that number made homeless. Their
problems were compounded when flooding caused by heavy rains
affected the area. Supplies could not get through. The more
accessible Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts, further
north, have been obtaining the lion’s share of relief
supplies to the Eastern Province.
We received reports that the Pothuvil Divisional Secretary’s (DS) Division, in Amparai district, was not getting sufficient supplies. Apart from fishing, people in Pothuvil were employed in the tourist industry: Arugam Bay, a famous surfing resort, lies just south of Pothuvil town. The hotels have all been destroyed. The Ministry of Health estimates that there are 22,000 people in refugee camps in Pothuvil.
The on ground SARID Tsunami Relief team therefore decided to take the supplies obtained by means of the SARID relief fund to Pothuvil.
We first ascertained what would be required. We were told that food was in short supply. However, based on our experiences in other parts, we decided to take a balanced cargo of food, clothing and sanitary and other needs. These were:
-- Food: Rice, Potatoes, Dhal, Onions,
Sugar, Tea leaves, Chilli powder, Curry powder
-- Basic Medicines: Anti-fungal cream,
Antiseptic cream, Ayurvedic cold cure, Siddhalepa ointment,
Citronella oil (insect repellant)
-- Hygiene Products: Bar soap, Bathing
soap, Tooth powder, Tooth brushes, Pynol fluid, Sanitary
towels, Mosquito nets (Babies' ), Towels
-- Clothing: Assorted underwear for Women
& Children, Children's T-shirts, Children's shorts
-- Bedding: Sheets
-- Lighting: Chimney lamps, Wicks
-- Cooking: Roti griddles, Kerosene in
10 L cans, Matches, Buckets, Jugs
Toys: Balls (children's)
-- Building: Claw hammers, Nails, 1½"&
3"
